DURHAM — Despite a three-game losing streak and no longer with a shot at the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division title, the Duke football team found reasons to celebrate Tuesday.

The Blue Devils revealed that defensive end Kenny Anunike has informed them that he plans to play a sixth season with the team. In March, he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Anunike, who’s scheduled to receive an undergraduate degree next month, has undergone four surgeries on his left knee since arriving at Duke in the summer of 2008.

Coach David Cutcliffe said the decision is a big deal for the program. Anunike has a team-leading five sacks this season.

And just days before the regular-season finale, with Miami arriving for an ACC game at Wallace Wade Stadium, the announcement also came that senior quarterback Sean Renfree has been named the recipient of the Pop Warner National College Football Award, which is presented to a former Pop Warner player who has made a difference on the field, in the classroom and in his community.

Cutcliffe said Renfree, a three-year starter, has been an icon for the Blue Devils on and off the field.

There hasn’t been much for Duke to celebrate on the field this month. The Blue Devils controlled their destiny in the divisional race until Saturday’s loss at Georgia Tech.

But the Blue Devils, who’ll play in their first bowl game since 1994, want to make it a special season beyond that.

“It’s too significant a year to not prepare and play well against Miami,” Cutcliffe said. “Our seniors are 5-1 in 2012 in Wallace Wade (Stadium). I’m telling you, that’s hugely significant. We need to go prepare like a team that intends to win.”